Unloader mechanism



May 5, 1959 L. E. AUSTIN ET AL UNLOADER' MECHANISM Original Filed March2, 1955 1o Sheefs-Sheet 1 INVENTORS JOHN i-LETTINQER ARTHUR K. BRQWN JR.LEONAQD E. AUSTIN ATTORNEY E. AUSTIN ET AL 2,885,063 'UNLOADER MECHANISMMay 5, 1959 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original FiledMarch 2. 1955 INVENTORS JOHNH, ETTINGER ARTHUR K. BROWN JR. LEONARD E. Aus'rm BY- ATTORNEY I May 5,1959 L. E. AUSTIN ET AL UNLOADER MECHANISM Original Filed March 2, 19551o Sheets-Sheet s IN VEN TOR5 AT TOENEY UNLOADER MECHANISM OriginalFiled March 2, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 JOHN H. ETTINGER ARTHUR K. BROWNJR. LEONARD E. AUSTIN AT TO'EN BY 1O Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed March2, 1955 INVENTORS JOHN H. ETTBMfiEE ARTHUR KBRWM JR. LEONARD E. Aus'rmATTORNEY 5, 1959 L. E. AUSTIN ETAL 2,885,063

' UNLOADER MECHANISM Original Filed March 2, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 7INVENTOIR'S I JQHN- H. ETT'HNGEBE ARTHUE K. LEoNmo E. AUSTIN ATTORNEYEQWN JR.

L. E.'AUSTINI ET AL UNLOADER MECHANISM May 5, 1959 Original Filed March2. 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS JOHN H ETTINGER ARTHUR K.BROWN JR.LEONARD E. Aus'rm BY- ATTORNEY ay 5, 1959 L. E. AUSTIN ETAL UNLOADERMECHANISM 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed March 2. 1955 INVENTORJ JOHNH- ETTINGER ARTHUR K. BROWN JR. LEONARD E. Ava-rm AT T'ORN E Y May 5,1959 L. E. Aus-rm ET AL 2,885,063

UNLOADER MECHANISM 1o Sheets-Sheet 9 Original Filed March 2. 1955INVENTORS JOHN H. ETTINGER AaTHuR K. BROWN JR. LEONARD E. Ausr'm BY-ATTORNEY May 5, 1959 E. AUSTIN ET AL 2,885,063

UNLOADER MECHANISM Original Filed March 2, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 10JNVENTORS JOHN H. ETTINGEE ARTHUR K.- BROWN JR- LEONARD E. AusrmATTORNEY UNLOADER MECHANISM Leonard E. Austin, Arthur K. Brown, Jr., andJohn H.

Ettinger, South Bend, Ind., assignors to Bendix Aviation Corporation,South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Original application March2, 1955, Serial No. 491,738,

now Patent No. 2,849,101, dated August 26, 1958. Dizgdlegand thisapplication July 30, 1956, Serial No.

3 Claims. (Cl. 198-177) This invention, which is disclosed in our Austinet al. parent application Serial No. 491,738 filed March 2, 1955, nowPatent No. 2,849,101, relates in general to means for selectivelyunloading power operated conveyors and in particular to a means of thistype for unloading a plurality of ditlerent units, such as several typesof automotive brakes from the carriers of a conveyor. The instantapplication is accordingly a division of the above identified parentapplication.

There is a need in this art for an automatically operated mechanismoperable to load a conveyor with a plurality of types of products, saidproducts being then conveyed-to the unloader mechanism which selects anddeposits the product at a desired station. The mechanism described inthis specification meets this need, for with said mechanism a pluralityof types of brakes for other units are selectively loaded on a conveyor,and then transported to another place there to be selectively unloadedand deposited at the desired stations.

There is disclosed in this application a plurality of loader mechanismstogether with corresponding unloader mechanisms, said mechanisms beingcooperable with a single conveyor system, said system comprising anendless conveyor carrying a plurality of carrier units. However, theinvention of this divisional application resides in the unloadermechanism of this combination.

Accordingly, the principal object of our invention is to provide arelatively simple, compact and effective power operated unloadermechanism for selectively unloading, from certain ones of a plurality ofcarrier units of a conveyor, units being conveyed; for example, brakeunits of certain makes.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide an unloader mechanism,comprising a plurality of power operated unloader units, forsequentially unloading a plurality of different units from the carrierunits of a con- .United States Patent 7 veyor mechanism said operationbeing efiective in a certain area of a manufacturing plant.

Another object of our invention is to provide, in combination with apower driven conveyor mechanism having a plurality of chain drivencarrier units, a relatively simple power operated mechanism forunloading a plurality of types of units from said carrier units.

An object of our invention is, generally speaking, to provide amechanism of the aforementioned type which shall be automatic in itsentire operation and require no duty on the part of the attendant beyondremoving from the mechanism the work unit filled cartons or othercontainers.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide an unloader mechanismof the above mentioned character which is accurate and reliable inoperation.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide a mechanism of theclass referred to which is so constructed as to operate rapidly andetliciently with a minimum pos-' sibility of damage being done to partsof the mechanism; and requiring a minimum of attention by the attendantin charge.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent during the following description of one embodiment of ourinvention, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, inwhich: t

Figure 1 is a view disclosing, in a diagrammatic manner, the loader,unloader, conveyor mechanism described herein, the unloader mechanism ofwhich constitutes our invention;

Figure 2 is a view disclosing, in perspective, the principal features ofthe unloader unit of our invention the brake to be unloaded being shownapproaching a position opposite the brake receiving yoke;

Figure 3 is a view, similar to Figure 2, disclosing the yoke of ourmechanism in the act of picking up the brake unit being unloaded;

Figure 4 is a view, similar to Figures 2 and 3, disclosing the brakeunit mounted on the nose of the tube unit of our invention, the positionit takes shortly after being dropped from the hook of the yokemechanism;

Figure 5 is a view, similar to Figures 2, 3 and 4, disclosing the tubewith the brake unit mounted on its end, the tube having moved downwardlysomewhat toward its vertical position;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view disclosing most of the principalelectrical controls of the unloader unit of our invention;

Figure 7 discloses, in general outline, the nose portion of the brakereceiving tube of the unloader unit together with some of the electricalcontrols and a part of the yoke mechanism;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view disclosing, in section, the noseoperating motor housed within the tube of our invention, together withthe motor for rotating the tube, and controls for said motors;

Figure 8a is a view disclosing a part of the electrical hookup of thehold down relay of the mechanism of our invention;

Figure 9 is a sectional view, taken on the line 99. of Figure 10,disclosing details of the nose unit of the brake holding tube of ourinvention;

Figure 10 is a view looking into the brake holding end, that is noseend, of the tube of our invention;

Figure 11 is a view disclosing details of the signal switch operatingmechanism of the unloader unit of our invention;

Figure 12 is a sectional view disclosing details of the pressuredifferential operated motor of ourinvention, and the solenoid operatedvalve for controlling said motor;

Figure 13 discloses part of the mechanism for imparting an angularrotation of the tube of our invention, and this view also disclosesthree of the switch operating means of the controls of the unloaderunit; and

Figure 14 is a view disclosing details of the power mechanism forimparting an angular movement of the brake holding tube of ourinvention.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings disclosing apreferred embodiment of our invention there is diagrammaticallydisclosed in Figure 1 a loader, unloader and conveyor mechanism, theunloader portion of which constitutes the essence of said invention. Theconveyor system of this mechanism preferably includes an endlesselliptically shaped I-beam track 10, Figures 1 and 2, which serves as asupport for a plurality of equally or substantially equally spacedtrolleys or carrier units each comprising a roller, not shown, to whichis pivotally secured a hanger 14, Figure 2, and further comprising ahook member 16 secured to the lower end of the hanger,- each hook havingtwo prongs lying in a plane which is perpendicular or substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of that portion of the I-beam upon which thetrolley is mounted. One of the two prongs projects outwardly of thetrack 10 and the other of the prongs projects inwardly Patented May -5,9

3 all as is disclosedin Figure l. The trolley units are preferably movedaround the track by a power operated endless chain 18 the hanger 14 ofeach unit extending through said chain.

Referring again to the diagrammatic showing of- Figure 1, the trolleys,for convenience, are indicated by the numeral 12'. This figure alsodiagrammatically discloses the loader and unloader mechanisms, theloaders being indicated by the capital letters A to F inclusive eachenclosed by a square; and corresponding unloader units are indicated bycapital leters A to F inclusive each enclosed by a circle. The loaderunits, all of which are alike, are not disclosed in detail in thisspecification inasmuch as the invention herein deals only with theunloader mechanism. The loader units are disclosed in detail in ouraforementioned parent application Serial No. 491,738.

Each of the letters in Figure 1 also indicates a particular type ofpiece part, that is work unit being processed such as a particular typeof automobile brake or other unit such as a container of some sort; andeach of the loaders and unloaders is positioned in Figure l opposite acertain numbered trolley. The loader A, for example, will load a Fordbrake on the first of a sequence of three trolleys passing thisparticular loader; and loader B will load say, a Chevrolet brake ontrolley number two, the second trolley of the bracketed one to threesequence of trolleys of Figure 1. It is to be stressed here that themechanism of our invention is not limited to the particular type of unitprocessed, that is loaded upon the conveyor as desired and then unloadedas desired. The endless conveyor may be located in a manufacturing plantor other building; or it may be located out of doors, there being nolimitation as to the length of the conveyor, where it may be located,and what it may convey. In the embodiment of our invention disclosed inthis application a pluralityof typcsof automobile brakes are processed,the particular unloading mechanism constituting our invention beingconstructed and operative to unload several types of automotive brakesupon a conveyor. All of the loaders of the mechanism of Figure 1 areencircled by a dotted line, as are the unloaders; however, said loadcrsand unloaders are not necessarily so grouped together for they may beintermixed.

Discussing now a feature of our invention, to insure the desiredefficiency and effectiveness of the mechanism, particularly theundesired unloading of the units transported, the conveyor mechanismincludes a certain number of trolley units said number being a multipleof a certain number; however, the particular number of trolleys may ifdesired, be changed to correspond with a relatively slight change in theconstruction of the loader and unload'ers, all of which will be broughtout in the description to follow. Explaining the fact that the number oftrolleys is a multiple of a certain number, if there are say three typesof automobile brakes to be conveyed on the outwardly extending prongs ofthe hook 16 then the total number of trolley units is a multiple of thenumber three; and if, as diagrammatically disclosed in Figure 1, theinwardly extending prongs are also employed to transport three moretypes of brakes, then the number of trolley units remains a multiple ofthree.

As indicated above, a feature of our invention lies in the constructionand operation of the mechanism of Fig ure 1 whereby the types of unitsto be unloaded from the conveyor are unloaded in a certain sequence.Thus with the embodiment of our invention disclosed in Figure 1, wherethree types of brake units are processed, the sequence is any one ofone, two, three; two, three, one; or three, one, two, that is onesequence; and the construction and arrangement 'of the units of themechanism is such that the unloading mechanism, the unloader units ofwhich correspond to the loader units of the loading mechanism, operate-to unload "the products in the same sequence as said products areloaded. Thus, as is disclosed in Figure 1, the circled unloaders A, Band C unload the brakes in the same sequence that the. squared loaderunits A, B and C load the brakes. The sequence may, as will be apparentfrom the description to follow, be some other number, say 4 or 6. It isto be particularly noted that in order to effect the desired unloadingoperation it is necessary that the loaders and unloaders of ourinvention operate in a certain sequence and that the number of trolleysbe a multiple of said sequence number; and the number of types of workunits which can be handled is also a multiple of the product of thesequence number times two if loaders and unloaders are placed bothinside and outside the conveyor; that is opposite both prongs of thehooks.

Describing now unloader unit A, which description will suffice for allof the unloader units A to F inclusive, this unit is disclosed in partin Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 11 of the drawings. Referring to Figure 11,disclosing one of the principal controls of this unloader unit, a framestructure 110, secured to the I-beam track member 10, supports a pawland ratchet switch operating mechanism lying inside the confines of saidtrack said mechanism including a ratchet 112 pivotally mounted upon apin 114 secured to a. portion of said frame structure. A ratchetoperating pawl 116 of the mechanism is pivotally mounted on a crank 118which is also pivotally mounted on the pin 114; and said crank extendsoutwardly toward the track the end portion of the crank lying in thepath of the hanger 14 of the trolley unit. A pawl operating spring 120,wound around a portion of the ratchet, is secured at one of its ends tothe crank and at its other end to the pin 144. A normally open switch122, no claim to which is made, is mounted on a portion of the framestructure 110; and this switch is closed by a lever 124 pivotallymounted on the frame. As will be described hereinafter the switch 122,when closed, initiates. the cycle of operations of unloader A, Figure 1,to unload the Fordirontfbrakes which were placed upon the conveyor bythe above described loader A. Continuing'the description of the ratchetmechanism the switch operating lever 124 is actuated by "pins 126secured to and extending downwardly from the bottom of the ratchet 112there being one pin for every third tooth of the ratchet. Thus theswitch 122 is closed every third time the ratchet is operated.

Describing now the operation of the switch operating pawl and ratchetmechanism, assuming the trolleys are moving in the direction of thearrows of Figures 1 and 11, then when a trolley contacts the crank 118the latter is rotated clockwise thereby winding up the spring 120.

Then when the trolley leaves the crank the ratchet, by the operation ofthe pawl 116, rotates in the direction of an arrow B thereby closing theswitch 122 with every contact of a pin 126 with the lever 124. A pawl128 serves to hold the ratchet in place when the crank 118 is beingactuated by the trolley. It is to be particularly noted that with theembodiment of our invention disclosed in the drawings the switch 122 ofFigure 11 is closed only by the number one trolley, that is the first ofthe three trolleys going to make up the aforementioned sequence. Itfollows therefore that the number of teeth on the ratchet 112 of Ford.front brake unloader A, that is the unloader now being described, mustbe either three or a multiple thereof; and it also follows that there isone pin 126 on said ratchet for every three ratchet teeth. There is thusprovided, by the switch operating trolley operated ratchet .112 andcooperating parts, that part of the unloader mechanism which initiatesthe operation .of said .mechanism; accordingly, the pawl and ratchet andcrank unit may, together with the switch 122 be termed a signalingmechanism of said unloader mechanism.

Describing now the remainder of the unloader mechanism A, the closing ofthe .so-called signaling switch 122 initiates the operation of themechanism for immediately :removing the Ford front brake from theconveyor and depositing said brake in the desired location. This'mechanism, the remaining electrical controls of which will be describedhereinafter, includes a brake holding swingably mounted yoke mechanism130, Figures 2 and 5 inclusive and Figure 7, having a cylindricallyshaped pin 132 extending from one side thereof; and said pin issupported by a sleeve 133 pivotally mounted thereon. This sleeve isfixedly secured to an arm 134 which is fixedly secured to a sleeve 136;and this sleeve 136 is rotatably mounted on a pin 137 which is fixedlymounted on a U-shaped support bracket 138. The bracket 138 is secured toan upright 140 constituting part of the supporting frame structure ofthe unloader mechanism.

A hanger member 142, fixedly secured to the support 138 at its upperend, is pivotally secured, at its lower end, to a rod 144 which ispivotally secured, at its upper end, to the base of the yoke 130. Therod144 and arm 134 serve to maintain the yoke in a vertical plane whenthe same is moved downwardly. As disclosed in Figures 2 and 7 spacedapart posts 146 are permanently secured to a top portion 148, Figure 7,of the yoke; and a hook member 150 biased downwardly by a spring 152, ispivotally mounted between said posts. As is disclosed in Figures 2 and7, particularly the latter, a roller 154, mounted on supportingstructure 156, strikes a cam shaped end portion 157 of the hook torotate the same counterclockwise against the action of the spring 152when the yoke is moved upwardly to its uppermost position.

As to the means for actuating the brake holding yoke said means includea double-acting pressure difierential operated motor 158, Figures 2 and12, pivotally mounted at one of its ends at 160 to the upright 140. Thepower element 162, Figure 12, of said yoke operating motor is pivotallyconnected at 164m strap 165 secured to the arm 134.

The valve mechanism for controlling the motor 158, and solenoids foroperating said valve mechanism, is disclosed in Figure 12 and includes acasing 166 rotatably housing a disk shaped valve member 168. The valveas a whole is indicated by the numeral 167. No claim is made to thisvalve mechanism. The valve member 168 includes semicircular shaped ducts170 and 172; and said member is actuated by a pin 174 which is connectedwith a solenoid operated rod 176. The pin 174 extends through a slot inthe casing 166. The casing is ported to the atmosphere at 178 and 180and provided with ducts 182 and 184 connected, respectively, to conduits186 and 188 connected with the motor 158; and a duct 190 in the casing166 is connected with a conduit 192 which is preferably connected withany suitable source of air pressure. Describing the operation of themecha nism of Figure 12 energization of a solenoid 194 moves the valvemember 168 to the position disclosed in said figure to vent one end ofthe motor 158 and connect the other end to the source of air pressure;and this operation serves to energize said motor to move the piston 162in one direction. Energization of a solenoid 196 serves to operate thevalve to energize the motor to move the piston in the oppositedirection.

Describing the operation of the yoke 130 when the motor 158 is energizedthe yoke is moved downwardly from its uppermost position disclosed inFigure 2. The brake 26 is at this time approaching a positionimmediately in front of the yoke of the parts of the mechanism being sopositioned and so operative that the signaling switch 122 is closed, toeffect the energization of the motor 158, just before the brake isopposite the yoke. As stated above, the electrical controls of theunloader mechanism, including the aforementioned solenoids for operatingthe valve 168, will be described hereinafter. As disclosed in Figure 5,when the brake and yoke are in juxtaposition, that is when the brake hasbeen moved to a position immediately in front of the downwardly movedyoke, the hook 156 slips over the edge of the backing plate of the brakerestart the take to yoke. As disclosed in Figure 3, the yoke and itsbrake are then moved upwardly as a unit by a reverse operation of themotor 158; and when the hook strikes the roller 154 the hook is rotatedthereby releasing the brake. Guide members 198 secured to the sides ofthe yoke, serve, together with the hook, to position the brake as thesame is lifted upwardly.

Continuing the description of the Ford brake unloader mechanism A, ahollow tube member 200, including within its confines a relatively largedouble-acting pres sure differential operated motor 202, Figure "8, anda latch controlled motor operated two-part brake supporting nose member264, Figure 8, secured to the power element 266 of said motor, isoperative first to take charge of the brake after it leaves the yoke andthen deposit the same elsewhere, all as described hereinafter in thisspecification. The tube 260 also includes a cylindrical casing 208,Figure 8, housing a relatively long sleeve 210 which constitutes theprincipal body member of the aforementioned double-acting motor 202.Disk shaped members, mounted in the ends of the sleeve, complete thebody of the motor; and to the'- power element 206 of the motor, throughthe medium of a rod 211, there is secured a twisted substantiallyhelically shaped ribbon like rod 212 preferably rectangular shaped incross section. The rod 211 is preferably rotatably secured to the piston206 and said rod is fixedly secured to the rod 212. The rod 212 extendsbetween guide rollers 216 fixed in place at the end of the tube 200; andsaid rod is fixedly secured, at its outer end, to a plate 218, Figure 9,constituting one end of the two-part brake supporting mechanism or nosemember 204. The plate 218 is secured to one end of a cylindricallyshaped body member 226 which, at about its'center, is sleeved ovet'f adisk member 222 whichis provided with an opening to receive a pin 224.This pin is preferably rectangular in cross-section and extends throughthe member 226 and into an opening in a sleeve member 226' sleeved overthe member 220. The sleeve member 220 is provided with a slot 228 toreceive the pin 224 thereby providing means for moving the members 222and 226- as a unit with respect to the member 220. I

To the center of the disk 222 there is secured a pin 230 which extendsthrough a cylindrically shaped mem-' her 232 which is slightly smallerthan its housing; and to this pin there is secured a threaded stem 234which extends through a washer member 236, a nut 238 serving to clampthe washer 236 and members 230 and 222 together as a unit. This unit andthe member 220 con-' stitute the two principal parts of theaforementioned two-part brake supporting nose member 204. The members226 and 226 are recessed to receive a latch unit 240; and a spring 242of said unit serves to bias a latch member 244 of the unit upwardly to aposition where a flange portion 246 on the latch member is in contactwith the front face of a flange 248 at the end of the member 226. Aspring 258, which is compressed in the position of the parts disclosedin Figure 9, serves to bias the disk member 222 and the members 226, 232and 236 connected thereto to the left with respect to the body member220. The parts of the brake supporting nose member 204 are held in thisspring compressed or spring cocked position of Figure 9 by a bell crankshaped latch member 252 having a hooked end portion which fits over aprojection 254 extending from the upper end of the pin 224. The latchmember 252 is biased downwardly, that is into its latched positiondisclosed in Figure 9, by a spring 256,; and the member 252 is pivotallymounted at 258 on a flange 260 which is fixedly secured to the member218.

Completing the description of the latch mechanism of Figure 9, fingermembers 262, Figures- 9 and 10, are pivot-..

ally mounted in a recess in the member 232 and extendinto a slot 263 inthe member 220'; and when the mem bars 232 and 226 are moved as a unitto the leftwith respect to the member 220, these finger members arerotated counterclockwise to the dotted line position disclosed in Figure9. The ends of the fingers then project outwardly to hold the brake unitin place on the nose unit 204; all as is disclosed in dotted lines inFigure 9. Ex plaining the operation of the latch mechanism morecompletely, the latch member 252 is moved counterclockwise, Figure 7,when an adjustable upper end portion 264 thereof is contacted by theback of the yoke 130; and this operation is effective just before theyoke reaches the end of its stroke in reaching its uppermost position.

Now when the latch 252 is released the spring 250 expands to move theflange 248 of member 226 into engagement with the latch 240. The partsare so positioned and constructed that the brake is released from thehook g 150 immediately thereafter by the interaction. of roller 154 andcam shaped surface 157; and the brake, now positioned over the nose 204,falls onto latch 240 releasing flange 248. Spring 250 then causes sleeve226 and attached members to move outwardly as a unit project ing thefingers 262 and clamping the backing plate of the brake between thefingers and flange 248. If desired, vtwo spaced apart raised portions266, Figure 10, on the end of the member 220 serve to center the brakeon the end of the nose.

There is thus provided a brake holding mechanism 204 on the end of thetube 200 said mechanism serving to clamp the brake onto the tube afterthe yoke has completed its job ofmoving the brakeaway from the conveyor.The latch 252 insures a holding of the spring 250 cocked therebyretaining fingers 262 in their retracted position for withdrawal fromthe brake backing plate after the brake has been deposited in thecontainer. It should be noted that the latch 240 may be held depressedby the backing plate at the moment when spring 250 is compressed andwould therefore be rendered incapable of latching flange 248 to hold thespring compressed. The latch 240 prevents the release of spring 250 andsubsequent extension of fingers 262 unless a brake is actually presenteven though an operation of the unloader disengages the latch 252. Thislatter condition would occur if the hook to be unloaded carried nobrake. The operation of the latching mechanism will be more completelydescribed hereinafter in giving the complete description of theoperation of the entire mechanism.

Mechanism is provided making possible a return operation of the noseoperating motor 202 and an operation of a double-acting pressuredifferential operated motor 158 to return the tube 200 to its horizontalposition, after and only after the part 226 is moved relative to thepart 220 to efiect a closing of the latches 240 and 252, 254 and arelease of the brake; and this mechanism includes a bell crank leverstop member 257, Figure 7, pivotally mounted upon the lower end of asupport 259 fixedly secured to the plate 218. The longer andhorizontally extending arm of the lever 257 is in two parts, one on eachside of the tube 200, said parts being connected by a strap 261 fittingaround the tube. Describing the operation of the member 257, when thesleeve 226 of the brake supporting nose portion 204 is moved outwardlyby the operation of the spring 250 and the nose portion 204 has beenbodily moved a certain distance away from the pressure differentialoperated motor 202 by the operation of said motor, then a spring 267operates to rotate said member 257 clockwise, Figure 7, thereby bringingan end portion 269 of said member opposite the end face of the tube.Then when the latch 252 is again closed, by moving the members 236, 232and 226 with respect to the member 220, the bell crank like stop member257 is rotated counterclockwise to move the end portion 269 clear of thetube.

As will be brought out in the complete description of the mechanism ofour invention there is thus provided, the lever 257, means forpreventing a complete return operation of the motor 202 and an operationof the motor 158' to return the tube to its horizontal position, untilafter the part 220 is moved relative to the part 226 to engage the latch252.

The tube 200 is preferably rotated about a pivot structure 268 by meansof the double-acting air operated motor 158', Figures 8 and 14, saidmotor being controlled by a solenoid operated valve 167a whichduplicates the valve 167 disclosed in Figure 12 and heretoforedescribed; and the motor 158 is a duplicate of the previously describedmotor 158. As to the force transmitting means interconnecting the motor158' and tube 220, a rod 270, Figure 14, connects the power element 162'of the motor with a rack 272; and this rack is meshed with a pinion 274which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 276 extending from a standard 278.To a crank pin 280 mounted on the pinion there is pivotally connected arod 282 which is pivotally connected at one of its ends to a lever likecrank 284. This crank is fixedly connected at 286 and at 288 to the tube200. Tube 200 is pivotally mounted to support member 292 at 288 and 290.

Describing the operation of the mechanism of Figure 14, energization ofthe motor 158' in one direction will effect a ninety degree rotation ofthe tube 200 about its pivot 268 in one direction; and energization ofthe motor in the other direction will effect a rotation of the tube inthe other direction.

Describing now the electrical controls of the above described unloadermechanism, that is unloader unit A, Figure 1, said controls aredisclosed in Figures 6, 8a, 8 and 7. "The aforementioned signal switch122 is electrically connected with the hot wire 291 of the secondary 292of a transformer 294. The primary of said transformer is indicated bythe reference numeral 296. As is disclosed in Figure 6, the hot wire 291is electrically connected with the normally open section 298 of a singlepole double throw switch 300, the normally open switch 122, a normallyclosed safety switch 302 closed by the operation of the tube 200 inmoving to its horizontal position, and the aforementioned valveoperating solenoid 196 which is connected with the ground of thesecondary 292; and these switches are connected in series. The switch300, in addition to the normally open section 298 thereof includes anormally closed section 299. The switch 300 is said to be depressed whenthe switch section 298 is closed and the switch section 299 is open; andthe switch 300 is said to be released when the switch section 298 isopen and the switch section 299 is closed. A spring, not shown, biasesthe switch 300 to its released position. The switch 302 is biased to itsopen position by the operation of a spring 201; however, when the tube200 is in its horizontal position a lever 304 is actuated by the tube toovercome the spring 201 thereby effecting a closing operation of thenormally closed switch 302.

As disclosed in Figure 7, the switches 300 and 302 are suitably mountedon the framework of the mechanism of our invention. The normally opensection 298 of switch 300 is closed by the mechanism disclosed in Figure7 which includes a bell crank lever 306 pivotally mounted upon a pin 308mounted in a support member 310. As is disclosed in Figures 2 and 5, thelower end of lever 306 includes two prongs which straddle the lever 252.A spring 312, interposed between one end of the lever 306 and a lever314 pivotally mounted on the pin 308, cooperates with a spring 316,interposed between the lever 306 and a fixed support 318 secured to thelower end of the support 310, in controlling the operation of the switch300. The springs 312 and 316 are preferably of equal rate the springsand associated parts being so positioned and constructed that when thetube with its nose 204 is in its vertical position the switch section298 is closed.

Describing the operation of the switches 302 and 300, as the tube 200 isabout to reach its horizontal position in the process of being rotatedfrom its vertical position,

it strikes the lever 304 to close the switch 302 and also strikes thelever 314 to compress the spring 312 and 316 without disturbing theswitch 300 which is at that time depressed; furthermore, in the lastincrement of movement of the tube in reaching its horizontal position anupper edge portion of the nose member 204 strikes an end portion A ofthe lever 306; and this results in an operation of the levers 314 and306 to further compress the spring 312 without disturbing the switch300. Thereafter, when the latch 252 is released and the brake 26 fallson the latch 240 to release the same, the spring 250 expands to move themember 226 away fro-m thelever end portion A; and this results in animmediate expansion of the then substantially compressed spring 312thereby rotating the lever 306 in a clockwise direction, Figure 7. Thisresults in an operation of the switch. 300 to complete an electricalcircuit including a grounded solenoid 322, Figures 6 and 8, whichoperates the valve 167a to initiate an operation of the motor 158' torotate the tube to its vertical position. It is to be mentioned herethat in this operation after the tube leaves the switch operating lever304 the spring 316 expands to depress the switch 300 the levers 306 and314 and spring 312 moving counterclockwise as a unit.

Continuing the description of the electrical controls of our inventionand referring to Figure 8 of the drawings, the pressure differentialoperated motor 200 is controlled by a valve 167b which duplicates thevalves 167 and 167a. The valve 16711 is actuated by grounded solenoids324 and 326 which are controlled by a hold down relay switch mechanism328 and a normally open switch 330. which is closed by the tube 200 whenand only when said tube is in its vertical position. Describing therelay switch 328 and its operating means the relay, indicated as a wholeby the reference numeral 332 and outlined in dotted lines in Figure 8,includes a coil 334 and an armature 336 the latter being connected, by arod 338, with a normally open hold down switch 340. The switch 340constitutes the controlling switch of the relay. The rod 338 is alsoconnected to the switch mechanism 328 which includes a normally openswitch 344 and a normally closed switch 346. The switch 328 constitutesthe controlled switch of the relay.

' The switch 344 is connected in series with the grounded solenoid 324,the switch 330, and a grounded secondary winding 348 of a transformer350 the primary winding of which is indicated by the numeral 352. Thesecondary winding 348 is connected in series with a grounded solenoid354 which in part controls the valve 167a, and a normally open switch356 which is operated in the manner described hereinafter. The relaycoil 334 is preferably connected, by a conductor 358, to conductor Yfrom the source of electrical power; and said coil is also connected, bya conductor 360, with a normally open switch 362 which is connected, bya conductor 364 to conductor X from the source of electrical power. Asis disclosed in Figures 8 and 13, the normally open switch 362 ismomentarily closed by a spring return lever member 366 which is rotateda relatively short distance by a pin 368 mounted on the body of the tube200. As the tube 200 moves toward its vertical position in the operationof the mechanism described hereinafter, the pin. 368 strikes the end ofthe lever 366, Figure 13, and rotates said lever sufficiently tomomentarily close the switch 362. Continued movement of the tube towardits completely vertical position results in a sliding of the pin 368'off of the end portion of the lever 366 thereby permitting a spring 370to rotate said lever away from the switch 362 and permit the latter toreturn to its normally open position. When the tube 200 reaches itscompletely vertical position, the body of the same strikes the switch330, Figures 8 and 13, and closes the same.

The complete operation of the mechanism of our invention will now bedescribed; and this description will cover partsof'thegmechanism notheretofore .described..'.

It is to be remembered that this description covers the.

operation of the above described unloader A of Figure 1; and theconcurrent operation of the loader A; however, this description willsuflice for all of the loaders and unloaders of the mechanism inasmuchas all of the loaders are alike and all of the unloaders are alike. Itis also to be remembered that both the leaders and unloaders operate inthe same sequence.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be assumed thatthe conveyor is in operation, that is the chain 18 and parts connectedthereto are being moved around the track 10 in the direction of thearrow in Figure 1. A hook is now approaching the loader A and this hook,immediately before it reaches the loader, enters a guide member 374,Figure 2, which is secured to the track 10. The loader then operates toplace a brake upon the hook.

The hook, having been loaded with a Ford front brake, continues itsmovement around the conveyor until it reaches the Ford front brakeunloader A; then when the hanger supporting said hook contacts the crank118, Figure 11, the unloading operation is initiated. Describing thisoperation, immediately after the hanger has left the crank 118 saidcrank is rotated by the spring 120 to effect a momentary closing of thesignal switch 122;

and this operation, through the intermediary of the then closed section298 of switch 300, the then closed switch 302 and the grounded solenoid196, Figure 6, results in an operation of the valve 167, Figure 12. Asto the fact that the switch section 298 and switch 302 are at the timeclosed, it is to be remembered that the tube 200 is at the time in itshorizontal position. The safety switch 302 provides a means preventingan operation of the yoke, motor 158 when the tube 200 is in any positionother than its horizontal position. The operation of the valve.

167 results in an energization of the motor 158 to rotate the yokedownwardly from the position of the yoke disclosed in Figure 2, thepiston 162 of said motor being connected to the yoke operating linkageby a rod 382, Figure 12. The hook then snaps over the brake as isdisclosed in Figure 3 and at this time the piston 162 of the motor 158has reached its lowermost position. Now in this position of the piston acam 384, Figure 3, mounted on a rod 386 paralleling the motor 158,serves to close a normally open switch 388. This switch 388, Figure 6,

is preferably fixedly secured to the framework of the mechanism and therod 386 is secured at its end to a support 390 mounted on the rod 382.The piston 162, rod 382, support 390 and rod 386 move as a unit.

As is disclosed in Figure 6, when the switch 388 isv closed the solenoid194 is energized to operate the valve 167; and this results in areversal of operation of the motor 158 to immediately return the yoke130 with its brake unit to its upper position disclosed in Figures 2, 4.and 5. As described above, just before the yoke reaches its uppermostposition the latch 252, Figure 7, is unlocked; and very shortlythereafter when the hook 150 strikes the roller 154 the brake unit isdropped upon the latch 240 to unlock the same. This latch unlockingoperation permits the outward movement of the nose members 226 and 232and this results in a locking of the brake upon the end of the nose 204and an operation of the lever 306 and springs 312 and 316 to release theswitch 300. This release operation, that is the closure of section 299of switch 300, results in an operation of the valve 167a; and thisresults in an operation of the motor 158, Figure 8, to move the tubedownwardly toward its vertical position to unload the brake. Just beforethe tube reaches its vertical position the pin 368 strikes the crank 366to momentarily close the switch down circuit including the secondarywinding of the" aforementioned transformer, not shown, a normally closedswitch 400, and the switch 340. The switch 400 and its operation isdescribed hereinafter. Now the switch 344 lies in one of the twoelectrical circuits including the switch 330 and when the latter isclosed, by the body of the tube upon reaching its vertical position,then the solenoid 324 is energized. The energization of the lattersolenoid results in an operation of the valve 167b to operate the motor202 to move the piston 206 and parts connected thereto downwardly,Figure 8. It is to be remembered here that immediately after the tube200 starts its downward movement the switch section 298 of the switch300 is closed thereby, in part, preparing the valve controllingelectrical circuit for again operating the yoke 130.

Continuing the description of the operation of the tube motor 202, thefirst increment of downward movement of the piston 206, Figure 8,results in the operation of a spring 392 to rotate a bell crank lever393 counterclockwise; and this operation results in the operation of abell crank lever 394 clockwise to the dotted line position A. The lever393 is pivot-ally mounted on the casing 208 of the tube 200; and thelever 394 is pivotally mounted on a part of the framework of themechanism. Continued downward movement of the piston 206 results in anoperation of the spring 392 to rotate the lever 393 past the lever 394thereby permitting the latter to drop, by gravity, back to a position B,it being held in this position by the spring, not shown, of the normallyopen switch 356.

Now during this nose down operation of the motor 202, the nose 204 withthe brake 26 mounted thereon is being moved downwardly into a brakecontainer, not shown, the nose and brake being rotated, as they movedownwardly, by virtue of the operation of the rollers 216 and thecooperating helically shaped connecting rod 212. This rotating operationserves to properly position the brake in the container. When the brakestrikes the bottom of the container or a previously deposited brake insaid container, movement of the nose member 226, Figure 9, and membersconnected thereto is stopped; however, the nose member 220 continues itsmovement downwardly through the center hole of the brake by virtue ofthe operation of the piston 206. With this operation the spring 250 iscompressed until the member 220 is stopped by the pin 224. At this timemovement of the piston 206 is stopped and the latch 252, 254 is againlocked. Then when the fluid pressure in a chamber 396 of the motor 202reaches a certain factor, a pressure differential and spring operatedswitch operating member 398 is moved upwardly, Figure 8, to open thenormally closed switch 400 in the hold down circuit of the relay 332.Opening of the switch 400 results in a de-energization of the relaythereby permitting an armature spring 402 of the relay to expand to openthe switch 340, open the switch 344 to de-energize the solenoid 324, andclose the switch 346. The closing of the latter switch results in anenergization of the solenoid 326 and this results in an operation of thevalve 167b to elfect an energization of the motor 202 to move the piston206 upwardly.

As to the unloader mechanism, it is to be noted that the power means andelectrical controls of our invention provide means to successively movea yoke downwardly to pick up a brake, move said yoke with its brakeupwardly to deposit the brake on the end of a tube, that is the nose204, move the tube with its brake from a horizontal that is startingposition to a vertical position to deposit the brake in a container, thetube nose operating motor within the tube coming into operation just asthe tube approaches its vertical position, again operate the noseoperating motor in the operation of preparing the mechanism for anotherbrake unloading cycle of operations, and lastly returning the tube toits horizontal that is starting position.

There is thus provided an efiicient and effective mechanism fortransporting a plurality of different types of units, such as brakes,from one location to another, said units being loaded by power operatedmeans onto a conveyor in a certain sequence and unloaded by power meansin sequence such that like units only are unloaded at a particularunloading station. The conveyor, that is power operated loader units ofour conveyor, loader and unloader mechanism, may be conveniently locatedin one area of say a manufacturing plant; and the power operatedunloader units of our mechanism may be conveniently located in anotherarea of said plant.

We claim:

1. A power operated unloader mechanism adapted for use in a brakeconveyor mechanism, said unloader mechanism including a supportstructure, a brake supporting yoke swingably mounted on said supportstructure by means including an arm pivotally mounted on the supportstructure, and adapted to take a brake from a conveyor, a brakesupporting cylindrical tube pivotally mounted on the support structureand adapted to be moved to a horizontal position having one of its endsadjacent the yoke and positioned to receive the brake from the yoke;power means, including a pressure differential operated motor having itscasing pivotally mounted on the support structure and its power elementoperably connected to the arm, for moving the yoke away from the supportstructure in the operation of picking up a brake and then moving theyoke with its brake back toward the support structure and toward theaforementioned end of the tube; power means, including a pressuredifferential operated motor fixedly mounted on the support structure,for imparting an angular movement of the tube from its horizontalposition, where it receives the brake from the yoke, to a verticalposition where it deposits the brake in a desired location; power meanshoused within the tube for operating a part of the tube structure inpreparation for the operation of transferring the brake from the yoke tothe tube, and means for controlling the operation of the severaldiflerent power means.

2. A power operated unloader mechanism adapted for use in a brakeconveyor mechanism, said unloader mechanism including a supportstructure, a brake supporting yoke swingably mounted on said supportstructure and adapted to take a brake from a conveyor, and a brakesupporting tube pivotally mounted on the support structure and adaptedto be moved to a horizontal position having one of its ends adjacent theyoke and positioned to receive the brake from the yoke; power means,including a pressure differential operated motor pivotally mounted onthe support structure, for moving the yoke away from the supportstructure in the operation of picking up a brake and then moving theyoke with its brake back toward the support structure and toward theaforementioned end of the tube; power means, including a pressuredifferential operated motor fixedly mounted on the support structure,for imparting an angular move ment of the tube from a horizontalposition where its aforementioned end position receives the brake fromthe yoke, to a vertical position where it deposits the brake in adesired location; power means housed within the tube for operating apart of the tube structure in the operation of transferring the brakefrom the yoke to the tube, and electrical means, including a pluralityof power operated switches, for controlling the operation of the severalpower means.

3. A mechanism for unloading workpieces from a conveyor including aplurality of trolleys, said mechanism including a support, a workpiececarrying yoke swingably mounted on said support, a tube unit, comprisinga workpiece carrying nose member comprising two relatively movableparts, pivotally mounted on said support and adapted to be moved to aposition adjacent the yoke to have said nose member receive the unit,power means for operating the yoke, tube and nose members including afluid pressure operated motor for operating the yoke said motor beingpivotally mounted on the support and having its power elementoperatively connected to the yoke, a fluid pressure operated motor forangularly rotating the tube said motor being fixedly mounted on thesupport, and a fluid pressure operated motor, mounted within the tube,for operating the nose member; and means, including electrical means,for controlling the operation of said motors, said electrical meansincluding means for controlling the operation of the yoke operat ingmotor, means for in part controlling the operation of the tube operatingmotor, and means for controlling the operation of the nose memberoperating motor and in part controlling the operation of the tubeoperating motor comprising a hold down relay including a controlledswitch mechanism, a switch operated by the tube, and a source ofelectrical power, the controlled switch mechanism of the relay, the tubeoperated switch and the source of electrical power being electricallyconnected in series, said last mentioned means further including aswitch operated by the piston of the tube operating motor when thepiston is in a certain position and a valve operating solenoid for inpart controlling the tube operating motor said solenoid and switch beingelectrically connected in series with the aforementioned source ofelectrical power.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,856,976 Strelow May 3, 1932 2,702,135 Knapp Feb. 15, 1955 2,741,381Bezien Apr. 10, 1956

